can find out just exactly where Major Ross and Butler's
Rangers are.

"To my great astonishment, disgust, and mortification, I have
learned that Walter Butler is near here. He evidently rode forward,
preceding his command, in order to be present at an Iroquois fire.
He was too late to work anybody a mischief in that direction.

"It is now our duty to watch for his Rangers and forestall their
attack. For that purpose I expect Colonel Willett to send me a
strong scout or to recall me to Johnstown. My impatience to hold
you in my arms is tempered only by my hot desire to wash out the
taint of my former duties in the full, clean flood of open and
honorable battle.

"Time presses, and I must wake my Oneida. See that my horse is
cared for, dearest. Remember he bore me gallantly on that ride for
life and love.

"I dare not keep Colonel Willett's report waiting another minute.
Good night, my sweet Elsin. All things must come to us at last.

"CARUS."

I dried the letter by the heat of the blazing logs. The Indian stirred,
sat up in his blanket, and looked at me with the bright, clear eyes of
a hound.

"I am ready, brother," I said gently.

It was cold, clear starlight when Farris brought my horse around. I set
Lyn Montour in the saddle, and walked out into the road with her, my
hand resting on her horse's mane.

"Try not to be sad," I whispered, as she settled herself in the
stirrups like a slim young trooper, and slowly gathered bridle.

"I am no longer sad, Mr. Renault," she said tremulously. "I comprehend
that I have no longer any chance in the world."

"Not among your adopted people," I said, "but white people understand.
There is no reason, child, why you should not carry your head proudly.
You are guiltless, little sister."

"I am truly unconscious of any sin," she said simply.

"You have committed none. His the black shame of your betrayal! And now
that you know him for the foul beast he is, there can be no earthly
reason that you should suffer either in pride or conscience. You are
pitifully young; you have life before you--the life of a white woman,
with its chances, its desires, its aims, its right to happiness. Take
it! I bid you be happy, little sister; I bid you hope!"

She turned her face and looked at me; the ghost of a smile trembled on
her lips; then, inclining her head in the sweetest of salutes, she
wheeled her horse out into